Letters to the Editor: Smog probably gave me cancer. Clean-air laws are deeply personal
Letters to the Editor: Smog probably gave me cancer. Clean-air laws are deeply personal Los Angeles Times
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To the editor:
Diane Scholfield, Vista, Calif.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Introduction
I lived in Glendora as a child from 1965-69. During that time, smog was thick and dangerous. I remember many summer days, playing competitive recreational tennis, when it hurt to breathe.
The Impact of Smog
Smog was not “staged” when I lived there, but I’m sure many days would have qualified as Stage 3, when ozone levels stay above 0.50 parts per million for an hour. Upland had the last Stage 3 smog alert in the nation in 1974; now, we rarely have a Stage 1 alert.
Health Consequences
In 1969, we moved to San Diego County, which had much cleaner air than Glendora. But years later, my father, mother and I developed cancer — Mom and I more than once, and Dad died from it. My brother developed severe asthma, which plagued him the rest of his life. No other members of our family on either side ever had cancer or asthma.
Personal Perspective
I will always believe the years we breathed ozone and carbon monoxide in Glendora played a part. So, when former President Trump claims that the 1970 Clear Air Act and California’s pollution restrictions are unnecessary and need to go, that gets personal. Really personal.
The Importance of Clean-air Legislation
Clean-air legislation has saved lives.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the issue of smog and its impact on health, clean energy, and pollution restrictions, which are all connected to the mentioned SDGs.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
Based on the article’s content, these targets are relevant as they address the reduction of pollution-related deaths and illnesses, promotion of renewable energy, improvement of air quality in cities, and building resilience to climate-related hazards.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution
- Share of renewable energy in the energy mix
- Air quality index and levels of pollutants in cities
- Resilience and preparedness measures for climate-related hazards
The article mentions the impact of smog on health, the need for clean energy, and the importance of pollution restrictions, which indirectly refer to these indicators.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Number of deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Share of renewable energy in the energy mix |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Air quality index and levels of pollutants in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Resilience and preparedness measures for climate-related hazards |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: latimes.com
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